Does methadone cause weight gain and/or slow down metabolism?

So I've been a personal trainer and has always kept up with my body. I've always managed to keep good looking abs and have a regular bowel movement for the most part. Now I had caught a very bad blood infection and was hospitalized for 4 months and was put on 60mg of methadone. I have continued to stay clean with the help of methadone for about 8 months now but I have been bloated and have had very poor bowel movement. I guess my question is is it ok to take milks thistle and dandelion root while on methadone? I don't want to risk having my sestyme cleaned out by the herbal mix. I always thought milk thistle and dandelion would be perfect for someone on methadone. Please help!

Ive been on methadone for 4 years and ive gained 50lbs in that period of time. and I actually eat alittle less that I used to.. ive started to watch what I eat because I gained so much!

I have gained alotta weight from methadone. Ive been on it for 4 years, and it made me crave sweets soooo much in the beginning.. I was always eat cake.. cookies.. laffy taffys.. pretty much anything with sugar and I gained 50 lbs.. but if you google it methadone is not a weight gainer, and yes ive had all those sysmtoms.. their normal. your "nodding" out is normal.. seems like when I'm focusing on something I will do the same. Like reading a book.. on the computer.. looking at facebook. I think its just cause ur relaxed. but ur good:) Hope you found something for ur RLS.

Glad someone said it.... geeesh!! None of us need to be lectured like ur the teacher and we are ur lil kindergarten kids. We 're on this page to get info. not preached at.
Thanx:-)

No that is NOT true. Pharmacologically speaking there is NOTHING WHATSOEVER in methadone that either slows metabolism or causes someone to gain weight. The weight gain one experiences is most likely due to return of appetite after a period of narcotic abuse. Also most people in recovery find they crave sweets whether they are on methadone maintenance or not. They are also eating more regularly than they ever did as an addict.

i hardly eat at all and i kee0 gaining weight around the middle?

Me too! It’s a different kind of weight.?! I was always skinny, couldn’t gain weight for trying. Then opiates, and age, now methadone and a stable life, my dose is at 80/day MAX, but I try to keep it closer to 50. (Have to have). I gain weight no matter what I do. Gym, diet. I don’t eat any more., Typically skip breakfast, a light lunch, and a good dinner. I tried to cut out all sugar drinks (sodas, etc.) But no matter what efforts I put out, I keep gaining , and it’s HARD weight. It’s like the fat/weight I’m putting on is literally hard. Like a hard mass, and is very difficult to manage. Past a “fluffy” fat, this is a hard mass fat. Killing my self-esteem, because I don’t tolerate things that speed my system up , like in diet pills. Don’t know what to do, but the weight just keeps building, and it feels heavy and hard and impossible to shed. HELP

It's called Vitadone

Hi. I am not trying to tell you what to do but I was on 80mg of methadone for 3 years and gained 80lbs. I, like you, tried everything to lose that weight being on it for three years even starving myself and nothing worked until I decided to decrease my dose down to 5mg to nothing then immediately switch to Suboxone. I don't know if Suboxone would be a good fit for you but it has been quite an awakening for me and I am very pleased with it. As of now I have lost 70lbs. since November. They tell you that methadone has no effect on your weight but trust me, it does, and it is impossible to lose until you come off it. Good luck to you.

Your story is almost exactly like mine. I gained 80lbs. altogether being on methadone for three years. The only way the weight came off for me was to decrease my dose down to nothing and switch to Suboxone. I have lost 70lbs since November being off the meth. I tried everything to lose weight on methadone but it didnt work. If u can get on Suboxone, I would try it. Especially if the weight gain is really troubling you.

You're absolutely correct. My clinic has added two windows to the dosing area in order to be able to allow more patients to get into treatment. The clinic he is at obviously is not making any attempt at serving the population that it has that needs help. They could simply knock a wall out and add some more space and see more addicts. But nope, he thinks because he was a bit lower than the rest because he was able to put a needle in his arm that people who snorted Oxycodone aren't "real" addicts and we should go on Suboxone. Guess what as****e, I was on that sh*t for 2 years and used drugs the entire time because it didn't work for me. Now on methadone for 1 year and have been off all other drugs since April 2018. Don't f*****g come on some website talking your bs. You're a little punk ass kid that is 26 years old. You don't need methadone it's all in your head you p***y. You probably already detoxed 50 x and kept going back to the needle. I bet its true. You have already been through dt's for days and days and just decided to go back when us here have never went more than 24hrs without and have a real addiction.

Yes. There's a multivitamin specifically designed for methadone patients. It helps with a variety of side effects, such as: sweating, sugar cravings, energy levels/fatigue, constipation, etc. There's no iron in it so it's safe for people who have liver issues. (That I don't know much about & of course would advise talking w/doctor.)
All Vitamins/supplements take a little while before you notice the effects & make sure that you take them with food, otherwise the body cannot process them fully. Drinking a full glass of water is also good.
I began taking methadone for pain in 2001 (240mgs daily), then switched back to Rx pills after tapering down to 140. (& Yes, the "Large" version of me pretty quickly melted away. I was soon back to my 'normal' weight. After a 7yr break, I also was forced to return to methadone due to ins.
This is the first time I've learned that there are others whom also suddenly developed hypothyroidism! (***Not that I would EVER wish that on others!), tho I must say I'm both shocked & relieved to read multiple posts that resonate so closely w/my personal situation... I no longer feel quite so confused & alone.

_removed_

Omg so I'm only like 6 mos in and I'm gaining weight like crazzzzzy I used to b 115. 125 entire life I'm 44 I too haft to take methadone they just upped my dose I've been leary bout it.....but I just asked my Dr wats going on I'm 144 now I seriously hate it I'm un happy also my butt stomach it's like hard to walk I'm being serious I'm only 5 2 dr said to watch wat I eat I seriously don't eat much an stay off pop coffee is my favorite but this truly sucks help anyone

Thank you for ur post. I have been searching for answers for awhile and I have had a difficult time. I was 140lbs when I entered Methadone treatment and have steadily gained 100+ lbs. It has ruined my body and self esteem. I am always bloated and puffy, can't use the bathroom hardly ever, and have absolutely zero sex drive! I hate that there's not much recognition for the ppl that are struggling with it's horrible side affects. Thanks to you and anyone else that will take the time to share their experience!